Telkom today announced that it will be providing data to students who cannot access academic materials due to the ongoing students protest. This action is part of Telkom’s ongoing commitment to supporting education within South Africa.

Many institutions have had to make alternative plans to continue the academic year. Many universities have made lecture and study material available online while campuses are not able to be accessed by students. This may result in further anxiety for students who may already be surviving on the smallest of stipends, and must now find additional funds to purchase the data needed to access the materials they require to continue their studies.

“Our universities and institutions are key to empowering South Africans and creating growth in this country,” said Sipho Maseko, Group CEO, Telkom. “We at Telkom believe it is essential that students are able to continue their studies despite the current political climate.”

Telkom is offering a solution which will enable universities to allow free access to academic content for students, even if they have run out of data or airtime. Telkom’s Reverse Bill URL service allows students using a Telkom mobile prepaid or postpaid SIM card to access content on a university website without paying for data consumption. Students accessing academic material via Telkom ISP will also benefit from free data as Telkom already zero rates this traffic.

Under normal circumstances, mobile data usage would then be reverse billed back to the institution – similar to the reverse-charges phone calls of previous years. However, during this critical period, Telkom has taken a decision to waive the data consumption costs until the end of the academic year. Students who need to work off site can therefore do so even without the need to fund these costs themselves.

“We hope that this small contribution on our part will assist students to complete the academic year as we work together to build an equitable system for all,” concluded Maseko.

Telkom is reaching out to academic institutions throughout South Africa to implement this solution.  Students will be able to buy and Rica SIM cards from Telkom stores, national chains and participating dealers.

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